Light bulb package

ABSTRACT

A package for an electric light bulb or similar article which comprises a collapsible open-ended tubular carton of square cross section and formed of paperboard or similar sheet material having a foldable internal partition structure in one end thereof which is characterized by a pair of parallel wall panels spaced inwardly from oppositely disposed side walls of the carton and having pairs of hinged panels cut therein which resiliently grip the body portion of a light bulb when it is positioned between the inner wall panels with portions thereof seated in the openings which result from cutting the hinged body gripping panels therein.

United States Patent [191 Fischer et a1.

[ June 28, 1974 LIGHT BULB PACKAGE [75] Inventors: Edward Fischer, Dumont; Edwin L. Arneson, l-lillsdale, both of NJ. [73] Assignee: Federal Paper Board Company, Inc.,

Montvale, NJ. v I [22] Filed: Dec. 5, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 312,362

[52] US. Cl. 229/39 B, 206/46 FR [51] Int. Cl B65d 5/02 [58] Field of Search. 229/39 B, 14 C; 206/46 FR 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,160,816 6/1939 Barnes 229/14 C 2,320,396 6/1943 Ringler 206/46 FR 3,182,885 5/1965 Maio 229/39 B X 3,547,256 12/1970 Bolding 229/39 B X Primary Examiner-William 1. Price Assistant ExaminerStephen P. Garbe Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Guy A. Greenawalt [5 7] ABSTRACT A package for an electric light bulb or similar article which comprises a collapsible open-ended tubular carton of square cross section and formed of paperboard or similar sheet material having a foldable internal partition structure in one end thereof which is characterized by a pair of parallel wall panels spaced inwardly from oppositely disposed side walls of the carton and having pairs of hinged panels cut therein which resiliently grip the body portion of a light bulb when it is positioned between the inner wall panels with portions thereof seated in the openings which result from cutting the hinged body gripping panels therein.

6 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures aiawxrm PATENTEDwuzs I974 SHEET 2 OF 3 LIGHT BULB PACKAGE This invention relates to packaging and is more particularly concerned with improvements in a carton structure for packaging electric light bulbs or similar articles.

Packages have heretofore been designed for use in the marketing of bulbous articles, such as electric light bulbs, which are relatively fragile and which require protection so as to facilitate handling and display with minimum risk of breakage. Prior package arrangements provided for articles of this type have generally had a tubular configuration with some means for supporting the article within the tubular shell and for gripping the bulbous portion so as to retain the article in the tubular container. Generally, these prior packages have been of a non-collapsible type and with insufficient protection against possible breakage under normal handling conditions. It is a general object, therefore, of the present invention to provide a package structure for light bulbs, or the like, which affords greater protection against possible damage to the article when handling the package, which is economical to manufacture, and which embodies a carton structure requiring minimum operations for set up and loading.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a package structure for electric light bulbs or similar articles of a relatively fragile nature wherein an outer open ended tubular carton is provided with an internal partition structure for suspending the article therein so that the end of the article is visible through the open end of the outer container.

It is a still more specific object of the invention to provide a package structure for an article such as an electric light bulb, wherein an outer tubular sleeve structure is provided with inner cross partition walls which are separated from each other and spaced from oppositely disposed outer walls of the tube, which inner walls are apertured so as to provide openings for seating therein a bulbous portion of the article being packaged.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container for packaging electric light bulbs or similar arti cles wherein an outer collapsible tubular carton member of square cross section is provided with inner article engaging partition walls or panels which are spaced from oppositely disposed outer walls of the tube and which have cut therein pairs of article engaging panels which are adapted to hinge outwardly so as to enable bulbous portions of the article to be seated in the openings resulting from cutting the hinged article engaging panels therein.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a package structure for an electric light bulb or similar article which comprises an outer open ended tubular container or carton member of foldable sheet material having cross partition forming panels mounted therein in spaced relation to oppositely disposed side wall panels of the outer container and the panels having cut therein pairs of bulb engaging panel members which hinge outwardly when the bulb is inserted through the open end of the outer container and portions of the bulb walls areseated in the openings in the cross partition panels which result from cutting the bulb engaging panels therein.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a collapsible, tubular, open ended container structure for packaging an electric light bulb, or the like, which has mounted therein a pair of spaced inner cross wall forming panels with hinged door forming panels cut therein which engage the opposite side walls of a bulb when it is positioned in the container with portions seated in the openings provided in the inner cross wall forming panels by cutting the door forming panel elements therein and wherein the cross wall forming panels have associated end panels which open up when the outer container is squared up and assume a position between the inner and outer panels which tends to hold the outer container in squared up condition.

These and other objects and advantages will be apparent from a consideration of the package structure and the method of forming the same which is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a package which embodies therein the principal features of the invention, the package having portions of the outer walls broken away to show more clearly the manner in which an electric light bulb is supported therein;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross'sectional view taken on the line 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the inside face of a paperboard blank which is cut and scored preparatory to forming the container shown in FIGS. 1 to 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view showing the initial folding step in fabricating the container;

FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating a further folding step in the handling of the blank of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating a still further folding operation and also the application of an adhesive to certain of the panels preparatory to completing the fabrication of the container;

FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating the completed container in collapsed condition;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a modified form of the package, withportions of the outer walls of the container broken away to show the manner inwhich an FIG. 14 is a fragmentary plan view showing the portions of the blank of FIG. 13 following certain folding and adhesive applying steps which are executed in fabricating the container; and

FIG. 15 is a plan view illustrating the completed container of FIG. 10 in collapsed condition.

The fabrication of the package, which is shown in FIG. 1, will be best understood by referring first to the blank 10, which is illustrated in FIG. 5. The blank 10 is cut and scored, as shown, to enable it to be folded and glued so as to provide the collapsed container or carton C which is illustrated in FIG. 9 and which is adapted to be opened up and receive a light bulb B to complete the package of FIG. I.

The blank is formed from foldable sheet material, preferably paperboard stock, of suitable caliper or weight. or from any similar foldable sheet material. The blank 10 is divided into an outer tube forming section 12 and an inner article cushioning and supporting section 14 by cutting and scoring on the lines 16, 18, 20. The middle section 18 is scored and may be perforated or otherwise weakened to facilitate folding in subsequent operations. The line portions 16 and 20 are cut to free the ends of section 14 for folding. The main section 12 of the blank 10 which is adapted to form an outer tubular container is subdivided by transverse score lines 22, 24, 26 and 28 to provide rectangular side wall forming panels 30, 32, 34 and 36 of equal size and a relatively narrow glue flap 38 at the one end of the blank.

The blank section 14 is subdivided by transverse score lines 40 and 40 to provide two partition forming panels 42, 42 of identical size and shape which are separated by an intermediate connecting panel 44 with the latter being hingedly connected to the side wall panel 34 of the main portion of the blank along the score line 18, while the panels 42 and 42 are freed from the main portion of the blank by the cutting lines 16 and 20. The panels 42 and 42 have relatively narrow glue panels or flaps 46, 46 at opposite ends of the blank section 14 which are spearated therefrom by the hinge forming score lines 48 and 48'. Relatively narrow panels or flaps 50 and 50' extend along the outer margin of the panels 42 and 42 and are separated therefrom by hinge lines 52, 52. The panels 42 and 42 are cut on the transversely extending lines 54, 54' which are spaced in the longitudinal drection of the blank so as to fall in the center of the panels 42, 42 and which are equally spaced between pairs of transverse score lines 58, 60 and 58', 60 with the cutting lines 54 and 54' extending in the transverse direction between longituidnal, transversely spaced pairs of cutting lines 62, 64 and 62, 64, the latter having a degree of curvature towards each other and extending between the ends of the hinge forming score lines 58, 60 and58', 60' so as to provide pairs of door-like panels 66, 68 and 66, 68. The dimensions of the panels 42 and 42 in the'longitudinal direction of the blank are approximately the same as the corresponding dimensions of the side wall forming panels 32 and 36. The dimension of the panel 44 in the longitudinal direction of the blank 10 is substantially less than the corresponding dimension of the panel 34, to the one end of which panel 44 is hinged.

In forming the container or carton C from the cut and scored blank 10 the small panels 50 and 50 are first folded about the hinge lines 52, 52 into overlying engagement with the panels 42 and 42' as shown in FIG. 6 after which the blank section 14 is folded about the hinge line 18 into engagement with the inside face of the adjoining portion of the blank section 12 and overlying portions of the side wall forming panels 32, 34 and 36, as shown in FIG. 7. The panel 42 may then be folded about the score line 40 and the panel 36 may be folded about the hinge line 26 so as to bring these panels into the position shown in FIG. 8 where they overlie the major portion of the panel 34. An adhesive is then applied to the exposed faces of the flaps 46, 46 and 38 after which the panel 30 is folded about the hinge line 22 to bring the margin thereof into engagement with the glue flap 38. This completes the fabrication of the container in the collapsed condition, as shown in FIG. 9, in which it is designed to be furnished to the user.

In forming the package, the collapsed container or carton C is opened up or squared up to the position shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 which brings the inner panels 42 and 42' into parallel, spaced relation to the outer side wall panels 32 and 36, whereupon the bulb B may be inserted through the open end of the outer container forming tube and positioned with oppositely disposed portions of the side wall of the bulb seated in the openings in the panels 42 and 42 which result from cutting therein the hinged panels 66, 68 and 66', 68, the diametrical dimension of the bulb portion being greater than the distance between the panels 42 and 42' so as to force the pairs of hinged panels 66, 68 and 66', 68' outwardly, with the lower ends pushing the bottom panels 50, 50 outwardly into the area between the panels 42 and 42 and the confronting outer side wall panels 32 and 36. The panels 50, 50 tend to square up and hold in squared condition the tubular outer container.

A modified form of the package and a blank for fabricating the container therefor is illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 15. In this form of the package the container is adapted to better accommodate an electric light bulb of the configuration illustrated in FIG. 12. The cut and scored blank 110, which is illustrated in FIG. 13, is divided into an outer tube forming section 112 and an inner article cushioning and supporting section 114 by cutting on the lines 116, and scoring on the line 1 18, all of which are aligned longitudinally of the blank 1 10.

The main section 112 of the blank 110 which is adapted to form the outer container or carton is subdivided, in the same manner as the corresponding blank section 12 in FIG. 5, by transverse score lines 122, 124, 126 and 128 to provide rectangular side wall forming panels 130, 132, 134, 136 of equal size and a narrow glue flap 138 at one end of the blank.

The blank section 114 is subdivided in part by transverse score lines 140 and 140' to provide two partition forming panels 142, 142' of identical size and shape which are separated by an intermediate panel 144 with the latter hingedly connected to the one side wall. panel 134 along the score line 118. The panels 142 and 142 are freed from the main portion 1 12 of the blank by the cutting lines 116 and 120. The panels 142 and 142' 148'. Cutting lines 150 and 150', which are aligned longitudinally along the outer side margin ofthe blank section 114, divide from the panels 142 and 142' relatively narrow panels 152, 152' which are separated in the longitudinal direction by an intermediate panel 154 extending between transverse score lines 156 and 156. The latter are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the blank a distance less than the corresponding dimension of the panel 144 of which the panel 154 forms an extension. The panels 152 and 152 have the same dimension lengthwise of the blank as the panels 142 and 142 and their remotely spaced ends terminate at transverse score lines 158 and 158, which are offset relative to the transverse score lines 148 and 148 in the direction of the respective panels 152 and 152. The cutting line 150 extends between the outer end of the transverse score line 148 and the inner end of the transverse score line 156 while the cutting line 150' extends from the outer end of the transverse score line 140' to the end edge of the blank section 114 so as to free the panel 152 for hinging on the score lines 158 and 156 and the panel 152 for hinging on the score lines 156' and 158' and providing a glue tab portion 160 on the free end of the panel 152'. Rectangular panels 162 and 162 are provided on the outer side margin of the blank section 114 which are separated from the panels 152 and 152' by hinge forming score lines 164 and 164'. Generally circular panels 166 and 166' are cut in the panels 142 and 142 on circular cutting lines 168 and 168 which are interrupted so as to allow for a hinge connection 170, 170 with the respective panels, and each of the panels 166 and 166 has a diametrical score line 172, 172 to enable the panels to bend as indicated in FIGS. and 12.

The cut and scored blank 1 10 is provided with adhesive and folded in the same manner as the blank 10. The panels 162, 162' are first folded in over the panels 152, 152 and the blank section 114 is folded about the score line 118. The panels 142 and 152 are folded about the score lines 140 and 156 while the panel 136 is folded on the score line 126. An adhesive is applied to the exposed faces of glue tabs or panels 138, 146,

I 160 and 146 as shown in FIG. 14. The panel 130 is then folded on the score line 122 to complete the carton in collapsed condition as shown in FIG. 15.

In forming the package the collapsed blank of FIG. is squared up and the light bulb BB is inserted from the open end so that the bulb portion seats in the aper tures resulting from cutting on the lines 168, 168' and the inner portions of the outwardly bulged panels 166, 166 serve to urge the panels 162, 162' into a position where they operate to maintain the container in squared up or opened up condition.

I claim:

l. A carton for packaging an article having the form of an electric light bulb which carton is formed from a blank of foldable sheet material cut and scored so that it is divided into a series of wall forming panels which are connected and which provide, when set up, a collapsible open ended outer tube structure having an inner bulb supporting structure disposed therein adjacent one end which bulb supporting structure includes a pair of bulb supporting panels positioned in oppositely disposed axial planes, said pair of bulb supporting panels being spaced from each other and each being spaced from an oppositely disposed side wall of said outer tube structure, said pair of bulb supporting panels each having cut therein smaller panels which are adapted to be engaged by the body portion of a light bulb disposed between the same with side portions of the bulb body extending into the apertures resulting from cutting said body engaging panels therein, said inner bulb supporting structure including an axially extending panel member disposed along the inside face of a wall forming panel of said outer tube structure and hinged to an end edge thereof, which panel member is hingedly connected to an edge of each of said pair of bulb supporting panels and said pair of bulb supporting panels having hinged flaps at the opposite edges thereof, which are secured to a tube wall forming panel which is disposed opposite said axially extending connecting panel member, and at least one of said pair of bulb supporting panels having a relatively narrow hinged panel at an edge thereof which, when the collapsed outertube structure is opened up, will swing into the space between said bulb supporting panel and the adjacent tube wall forming panel so as to hold the outer tube structure in set up condition.

2. A carton as set forth in claim 1 wherein said smaller panels are hinged adjacent the outermost end of said bulb supporting structure so as to enable said panels to hinge outwardly in the direction of the oppositely disposed side walls of said outer tube when engaged by the body portion of said light bulb.

3. A collapsible carton for packaging an article having the general shape of an electric light bulb with a bulbous body portion and a slender connecting member, which carton is formed from a blank of foldable sheet material cut and creased so that it is divided into a series of panels which are connected and provide, when in set up condition, an outer tube structure having a bulb supporting structure therein, said bulb supporting structure including a pair of bulb supporting panels in oppositely disposed, spaced axial planes, said bulb supporting panels being connected by a panel which lies along the inside face of a side wall forming panel of said outer tube structure and is hinged to the end edge thereof, said connecting panel being hinged along opposite side edges to side edges of said bulb supporting panels on axially extending hinge lines, each said bulb supporting panel being spaced from an oppositely disposed side wall forming panel of the outer tube structure, said pair of bulb supporting panels each having cut therein smaller panels which are adapted to be engaged by said bulbous body portion of an article inserted in the space between the same and hinged outwardly thereof with said bulbous body portion extending into the openings in the bulb supporting panels resulting from cutting therein said smaller panels and said bulb supporting panels having relatively narrow hinged panels at the innermost ends which, when the outer tube structure is set up, will hinge into a transverse plane and engage with side wall forming panels of the outer tube structure so as to hold the same in set up condition.

4. A blank for forming a carton adapted to package an article having the form of an electric light bulb, said blank comprising a generally rectangular sheet member of paperboard or similar foldable sheet material which is divided by parallel, longitudinally spaced, transverse scorelines into a series of wall forming panels of a size sufficient to provide, when connected, an outer tube member for enclosing said article, a generally rectangular partition forming panel member of reduced longitudinal dimension extending along one side edge of said tube forming member and divided therefrom on a longitudinally extending line which is cut in part to free portions of the partition panel and score in part to form a hinged connection, said partition forming panel member being subdivided by parallel, transverse score lines which are spaced in the longitudinal direction of the blank so as to divide said panel member into a pair of cross partition forming panels each having a dimension in the lengthwise direction of the blank which equals the corresponding dimension of each of a pair of the wall forming panels in said tube f orming member, said pair of cross partition panel forming members being freed from said pair of tube wall forming members, and a connecting panel between said cross partition panels having a dimension in the lengthwise direction of the blank.

5. A blank as set forth in claim 4 wherein said pair of cross partition forming panels each have a pair of smaller panels cut therein which remain connected along hinge forming, longitudinally spaced, transverse score lines.

6. A blank as set forth in claim 4 wherein said pair of cross partition forming panels each have a generally circular smaller panel cut therein which remains connected by a hinge forming area adjacent the innermost side edge of the partition forming panel member. 

1. A carton for packaging an article having the form of an electric light bulb which carton is formed from a blank of foldable sheet material cut and scored so that it is divided into a series of wall forming panels which are connected and which provide, when set up, a collapsible open ended outer tube structure having an inner bulb supporting structure disposed therein adjacent one end which bulb supporting structure includes a pair of bulb supporting panels positioned in oppositely disposed axial planes, said pair of bulb supporting panels being spaced from each other and each being spaced from an oppositely disposed side wall of said outer tube structure, said pair of bulb supporting panels each having cut therein smaller panels which are adapted to be engaged by the body portion of a light bulb disposed between the same with side portions of the bulb body extending into the apertures resulting from cutting said body engaging panels therein, said inner bulb supporting structure including an axially extending panel member disposed along the inside face of a wall forming panel of said outer tube structure and hinged to an end edge thereof, which panel member is hingedly connected to an edge of each of said pair of bulb supporting panels and said pair of bulb supporting panels having hinged flaps at the opposite edges thereof, which are secured to a tube wall forming panel which is disposed opposite said axially extending connecting panel member, and at least one of said pair of bulb supporting panels having a relatively narrow hinged panel at an edge thereof which, when the collapsed outer tube structure is opened up, will swing into the space between said bulb supporting panel and the adjacent tube wall forming panel so as to hold the outer tube structure in set up condition.
 2. A carton as set forth in claim 1 wherein said smaller panels are hinged adjacent the outermost end of said bulb supporting structure so as to enable said panels to hinge outwardly in the direction of the oppositely disposed side walls of said outer tube when engaged by the body portion of said light bulb.
 3. A collapsible carton for packaging an article having the general shape of an electric light bulb with a bulbous body portion and a slender connecting member, which carton is formed from a blank of foldable sheet material cut and creased so that it is divided into a series of panels which are connected and provide, when in set up condition, an outer tube structure having a bulb supporting structure therein, said bulb supporting structure including a pair of bulb supporting panels in oppositely disposed, spaced axial planes, said bulb supporting panels being connected by a panel which lies along the inside face of a side wall forming panel of said outer tube structure and is hinged to the end edge thereof, said connecting panel being hinged along opposite side edges to side edges of said bulb supporting panels On axially extending hinge lines, each said bulb supporting panel being spaced from an oppositely disposed side wall forming panel of the outer tube structure, said pair of bulb supporting panels each having cut therein smaller panels which are adapted to be engaged by said bulbous body portion of an article inserted in the space between the same and hinged outwardly thereof with said bulbous body portion extending into the openings in the bulb supporting panels resulting from cutting therein said smaller panels and said bulb supporting panels having relatively narrow hinged panels at the innermost ends which, when the outer tube structure is set up, will hinge into a transverse plane and engage with side wall forming panels of the outer tube structure so as to hold the same in set up condition.
 4. A blank for forming a carton adapted to package an article having the form of an electric light bulb, said blank comprising a generally rectangular sheet member of paperboard or similar foldable sheet material which is divided by parallel, longitudinally spaced, transverse score lines into a series of wall forming panels of a size sufficient to provide, when connected, an outer tube member for enclosing said article, a generally rectangular partition forming panel member of reduced longitudinal dimension extending along one side edge of said tube forming member and divided therefrom on a longitudinally extending line which is cut in part to free portions of the partition panel and score in part to form a hinged connection, said partition forming panel member being subdivided by parallel, transverse score lines which are spaced in the longitudinal direction of the blank so as to divide said panel member into a pair of cross partition forming panels each having a dimension in the lengthwise direction of the blank which equals the corresponding dimension of each of a pair of the wall forming panels in said tube forming member, said pair of cross partition panel forming members being freed from said pair of tube wall forming members, and a connecting panel between said cross partition panels having a dimension in the lengthwise direction of the blank which is less than the corresponding dimension of the adjoining tube wall forming panel and which is hinged thereto on said dividing line, narrow glue flaps divided therefrom by hinge forming score lines along the free end margins of said partition forming panel and each of said cross partition forming panels having a relatively narrow panel extending along the outer side margin of the blank which is divided therefrom by a hinge forming score line extending longitudinally of the blank.
 5. A blank as set forth in claim 4 wherein said pair of cross partition forming panels each have a pair of smaller panels cut therein which remain connected along hinge forming, longitudinally spaced, transverse score lines.
 6. A blank as set forth in claim 4 wherein said pair of cross partition forming panels each have a generally circular smaller panel cut therein which remains connected by a hinge forming area adjacent the innermost side edge of the partition forming panel member. 